>>But when the Army disbanded the corps in 1944, the women went back to their pre-war lives without any of the honors or benefits their male counterparts received.
>>Just this year, President Barack Obama signed legislation awarding the WASPs the Congressional Gold Medal — one of the nation’s highest civilian honors.
The WASPs did a great service for this nation, but that does not rise to the level of “hero”. Or at least it didn’t until recently where the definition of “hero” has been diluted.
What kind of recognition did male civilian ferry pilots receive?
This is just more after-the-fact affirmative action propaganda. Serving as a ferry pilot in and of itself makes no one a hero or a HEROINE. And it took nothing like the courage or skill involved in going up against some very good German and Japanese fighter pilots flying, for part of the war, better equipment who are trying to kill you.
Barry Goldwater was a transport pilot, flying over the “Hump”. He was “too old” to be a fighter or bomber pilot.
Signing up is the most heroic thing that anyone can do. Everything after that is just following through.
Some of the WASP pilots were attacked on the English end of their ferry flight. Some of them managed to shoot down some Jerry pilots.
Thanks Ladies for your service.